WooCommerce B2B Store: How to Use Access Codes for Wholesale Orders

The B2B checkout problem

If you sell to both retail and wholesale customers, you've probably faced this challenge: how do you let B2B buyers place orders without opening your wholesale pricing to everyone?

Common solutions like dedicated B2B plugins can cost $200-$500/year and add significant complexity. For many stores, a simpler approach works better: require an access code at checkout.

How coupon gating works for B2B

The concept is straightforward:

1. Your store displays products at retail prices (or wholesale prices - your choice).
2. Anyone can browse, but checkout requires a valid access code.
3. Only approved wholesale customers receive the code.
4. The code can optionally include a wholesale discount.

This is exactly what GateCoupon does - with zero configuration complexity.

Setting up B2B access gating

Create a wholesale access coupon

Go to Marketing → Coupons → Add Coupon:

• Code: WHOLESALE2026
• Discount type: Percentage discount
• Amount: Your wholesale discount (e.g., 30 for 30% off)
• Minimum spend: Set to your minimum order value (e.g., $500)
• Email restrictions: Optionally restrict to approved email addresses

Configure GateCoupon

1. GateCoupon in the sidebar
2. Enable the plugin
3. Select Specific coupon mode and enter WHOLESALE2026
4. Set Minimum cart amount to match your minimum order value
5. Customize the cart message: *"Enter your wholesale access code to proceed to checkout."*
6. Save

Distribute to approved buyers

Send the access code to verified wholesale customers through:

• Your B2B onboarding email
• A password-protected page on your site
• Your sales team during outreach

Advanced B2B patterns with GateCoupon PRO

Category-specific wholesale gating

With GateCoupon PRO, gate only your wholesale category:

1. Create a "Wholesale" product category with bulk pricing
2. In GateCoupon settings, restrict the gate to only the "Wholesale" category
3. Retail products remain open for everyone

Role-based exceptions

Create a "Wholesale" user role in WordPress and exclude it from the coupon gate. Once a buyer is approved and assigned the role, they can check out freely.

Multiple buyer tiers

With the PRO multiple codes feature, add all your codes in one place - one per line:

• SILVER - 15% off, minimum $250
• GOLD - 25% off, minimum $500
• PLATINUM - 35% off, minimum $1000

Each tier unlocks checkout independently. Pair with WooCommerce coupon restrictions for per-tier discounts.

Share access links with auto-apply

Use the PRO auto-apply via URL feature to share links like yourstore.com/?coupon=GOLD with specific buyers. The code is applied automatically when they click - no manual entry needed.

Analytics

Track how many wholesale orders come through, which codes are used the most, and how often the gate blocks unauthorized users - all from your GateCoupon dashboard.

Coupon gating vs. dedicated B2B plugins

|---|---|---|

For small to medium B2B operations, coupon gating delivers 90% of the value at a fraction of the cost and complexity.

Conclusion

You don't need a $500 B2B plugin to control wholesale access. GateCoupon lets you gate your checkout with a simple access code, combine it with wholesale discounts, and manage everything from a single WooCommerce settings panel. Try it free today.